'And--and, Maud, don't let her meddle with your food.'
Cousin Monica gave me a pale little nod, and looked away.
I could only stare at her; and under my breath I uttered an ejaculation of
terror.
'Don't be so frightened; you must not be foolish; I only wish you to be
upon your guard. I have my suspicions, but I may be quite wrong; your
father thinks I am a fool; perhaps I am--perhaps not; maybe he may come to
think as I do. But you must not speak to him on the subject; he's an
odd man, and never did and never will act wisely, when his passions and
prejudices are engaged.'
'Has she ever committed any great crime?' I asked, feeling as if I were on
the point of fainting.
'No, dear Maud, I never said anything of the kind; don't be so frightened:
I only said I have formed, from something I know, an ill opinion of her;
and an unprincipled person, under temptation, is capable of a great deal.
But no matter how wicked she may be, you may defy her, simply by assuming
her to be so, and acting with caution; she is cunning and selfish, and
she'll do nothing desperate. But I would give her no opportunity.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142